Think twice before you dare to raise your voice against misbehaviour of Delhi Metro staff as you may be abused and threatened of serious consequences. In a similar incident on April 15, a guard deployed by Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) outside gate number 1 of AIIMS Metro Station, was seen abusing and manhandling miserable patients who were sitting there to have some food.

 Noticing this, The Pioneer correspondent who happened to be there, took up the issue with station controller but surprisingly three more guards, along with station controller appeared, on the scene and started threatening the complainant for raising the issue.

Thousands of people come in the national Capital for getting themselves treated and due to financial inability they use footpath and vacant areas around the hospital to spend nights. But these distressed persons including patients usually face the ire of authorities. “What is my mistake? My only child is suffering with unknown illness and treatment is going on. The doctor has instructed us to stay here till the disease is diagnosed and treated. I am a rickshaw puller. How can I afford to stay other than roads,” said Ramdayal Mehto, a resident of Motihari in Bihar who was thrown away alongwith his wife and child forcefully by DMRC staff a few days ago.

There are many like Mehto who have experienced such apathetic treatment by DMRC staff from time to time but the authorities have kept a blind eye towards this malaise. 

What could be even worse that once you take up the issue with DMRC, you will be threatened of consequences?  The Pioneer correspondent in his written complaint to DMRC  top brass has highlighted the issue and flagged the boorish behavior of the metro guards.  

“I was standing at AIIMS metro gate number 1 and noticed a guard was abusing patients. When interrupted, he (guard) said he was directed by Metro authorities to do so and justified his behaviour saying they understand abusive language only.

When the correspondent approached Metro Station premises and brought it to the notice of the CISF personnel sitting there, they suggested him to approach customer care counter. “When I went to the counter, a DMRC staff stopped and directed to visit station controller. Surprisingly they (guards) started misbehaving with me saying either run away or face consequences and that too in front of station controller with whom I reported the matter,” he stated in his complaint. 

The issue is never ending as patients are harassed at regular intervals at AIIMS premises. Kamla Devi, a resident of Sampla Town in Haryana and a daily labourer who is undergoing treatment at All India Institutes of Medical Science (AIIMS) was also suffered humiliation by metro guards. “I came here alone and have no idea where should I go.

“I spend nights usually outside AIIMS premises but they (guards) removed us all and we came and slept at footpath outside AIIMS but suddenly at night staff of metro came and started abusing us and removed us forcefully from there. We had no option except spending nights walking on roads, she said.

However, after receiving complaint, the DMRC scanned CCTV footage and suspended three guards. DMRC spokesperson said that the issue was being duly examined and necessary action was being taken.